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Posts Tagged ‘Job Hunting’

Are you in need of a job? If you are currently unemployed you may even consider yourself to be desperate for a new job. If you are, you may end up wondering if you should lower your expectations, to make it easier to find a job right away. If so, you are definitely not alone. When it comes to determining whether or not you should lower your expectations, when hunting for a job, there are a number of important factors that need to be taken into consideration. One of those factors is your need for a job. For instance, do you have a family to support? Do you have rent, mortgage, or car payments that need to be made? If you do, your need for a job may actually be quite high, especially if you are not receiving money from your state’s unemployment fund. If your survival depends on having a job, you may need to lower your expectations, even just temporarily. Another factor that needs to be examined, when determining whether or not you should lower your expectations, when hunting for a job, is your expectations. For instance, are they reasonable? Are you interested in working as a doctor? If you are, do you have a degree in medicine? If not, you expectations are not only too high, but they are unreasonable. The first step in not being required to lower your expectations, when searching for a job, is making sure that your expectations are reasonable. For instance, if you worked as a retail cashier for a while and attended business school, you may want to think about trying to acquire a job as a retail store manager. This type of goal is one that is just right, as it isn’t too unrealistic. It is also advised that you examine the current job forecast for the industry that you would like to work in. In keeping with the above mentioned example of a retail store manager, if the retail industry isn’t doing too well, there is a good chance that not as many new retail stores will open up in or around your area. This may limit the number of retail store manger jobs that are available. In this case, you may need to lower your expectations or just change them, to include something different. Of course, what you need to remember is that if you do need to lower your expectations, when hunting for a job, especially if your survival depends on it, it doesn’t have to be permanent. For instance, if you are required to take a job as a retail store cashier, but you are actually qualified to work as a school teacher, your retail store job doesn’t have to last forever. When working and making a little bit of money, possibly enough to help your family or pay your bills, you can continue on by searching for teaching opportunities. If you keep after your goal long enough, you should be able to find an opportunity that you are more than qualified for. If and when that time comes, you could choose to give up the job that caused you to lower your expectations. Although you may not necessarily want to take a job that you may consider to be beneath you, there may come a time in life when you have to. If and when that time comes, it is important that you remember that nothing has to be permanent or forever etched in stone.

Are you currently job hunting?  If you are, you will likely find a number of job listings that you want to apply for, if you haven’t already done so.  No matter what type of job you are applying for, whether you want to be a contractor, a secretary, or a retail store manager, you will want to make a resume for yourself.  Resumes are often used to replace or supplement a traditional job application. The only thing is that your resume needs to be professional in nature.

When it comes to resumes that are professional in nature, there are many individuals who wonder why having a professional resume is so important.  In all honesty, there are a number of different reasons. Just a few of the many reasons why having a professional resume, at least a professional looking one, is important are touched on below.

Perhaps, the biggest reason as to why you need to submit a resume that is professional in nature is because the resume is often the first thing that a hiring employer will see.  With many employers using the internet and newspaper employment sections to find qualified candidates, many are not meeting their prospective employees in person.  Most just simply submit their resume as an email attachment or mail it in.  Since your face will not be seen and your personality will not be witnessed right away, your resume will essentially end up doing all of the talking for you. That is why you want to make sure that it looks and feels professional.

What you may not realize is that there are many employers who classify all of their applicants based on their resumes.  Yes, this may not necessarily be fair, especially when that classification is based solely on appearance, but it is something that does happen.  That is why you will want to make sure that your resume gives a good first impression.  You don’t want it to be tossed to the side, just for its appearance.  For the best chance of success, print your resume out on traditional white computer paper, use standard font, and make sure that it is easy to read.

A professional resume, even just a professionally looking one, is also important because it can help give you an edge above the competition.  For many, submitting a resume that is professional in nature, right to the point, and easy to read is common sense, but for others it isn’t so obvious.  You may actually be surprised with how many applicants respond to a job listing with a resume that should have never left their house.  Depending on the job listing you are responding to, you may end up being one of hundreds of applicants. That is why it is important that you get an edge.  However, the way to do this is with a professional resume, not one that will get laughed at all the way to the trash can.

As you can see, from being outlined above, there are a number of different reasons as to why the resumes that you submit to hopeful employers should be professional in nature.  The term professional in nature is used because your resume doesn’t actually have to be professionally done.  If you do have some writing experience, particularly concerning resumes, you may be able to produce your own professional resume.  If not, you are advised to look into using the services of a professional resume writer.

Immediately upon graduation, most college students start filling in job applications in hopes of securing a job interview. Prior to this, these graduates need to have an impressive graduate resume. Resume writing is an art that is best left to professional resume writers that specialize in graduate and entry level resumes. A good cover letter and an impressive resume is the first step towards being granted a job interview.

Now that you have secured an interview, you need to prepare for the tough questions that lie behind the employers’ door. The majority of people considers the expected questions and prepare for these. Many rehearse the answers so that they sound confident while answering them. Practicing responses in advance keeps a check on nervousness, and you sound professional and confident. However, with the job market so competitive and so many applicants applying for the same job, employers have come up with a way to weed out applicants and let the cream rise to the top. Employers will ask questions that are difficult, make your pulse race and be tough to answer.

Tough Questions You Can Expect
Let us take a closer look at some of the tough questions you may be asked and what a likely response could be:

•    You have no experience. Why should I consider you? – You need to be persuasive. Mention your ability to overcome deficiencies. Also, mention how you increased your knowledge through education, internships and summer jobs. Perhaps explain how your ability to master new technology made your colleagues turn to you for advice. Detail how your budding management skills would have a positive impact on the organization.

•    How did you resolve a conflict, if you had any, with your professor or last employer? – You need to accept that you had disagreements with your professors or past employers that required resolution. Give specific examples of how you coped and resolved the issue without being judgmental of your professor or previous employer. To answer this question correctly, you need to show that you are able to see the other persons view in the dispute, consider all options and then act rationally. That is what the employer is looking for. The employer really does not care who was right or wrong but what is important is how you handled yourself and the situation.

•    How would your professors (or last employer) describe you? – Explain that all would agree that you were a very energetic person who always accomplished whatever task was at hand. You were dependable, creative and possessed a keen eye to apply your knowledge in a very practical sense. Inform the interviewer that you have references for his consideration to backup your comments.

•    In your opinion, what are the qualities of a successful manager? – Be brief, clear and meaningful with your answer – as this is a true quality of an excellent manager. Some qualities you could mention are collaborative leadership, visionary planning, understanding the corporate objectives. Also, highlight how to interpret these to increase revenues and service the clientele. You can finish your response by giving an example of a person you consider to be a true leader.

•    What is your greatest weakness? – Everyone has one so never answer this question in a lame manner. Be precise and confident in expressing to the employer what you feel your greatest weakness is. Then immediately explain how your main achievement has been to recognize your greatest weakness and work on overcoming the issue.

Are you looking for a new job or a new career?  If you are, have you already started using the internet or your local newspapers to find jobs?  If you have, you may be at the applying stage. The applying stage of job hunting is perhaps the most important part.  Many times, you are only required to send in a job application or submit your resume.  Since your face and your personality will not originally be seen, you will need to let your resume to all of the work for you. That is why it is extremely important that your resume is professional looking. A few tips that you may want to keep in mind when making your resume are outlined below.

As a reminder, your resume is the first thing that an employer will see.  If you apply for a job that you saw advertised online or in your local newspaper, there is a good chance that you will not be submitting your resume in person.  Although it isn’t always fair, many employers categorize their applicants solely on their resumes.  That is why it is extremely important that you thoroughly review your resume before turning it into hopeful employers.  In most cases, the resume is what makes or breaks an applicant’s chance of getting the job that they were seeking.

Perhaps, the most important tip to remember, when creating a new resume for yourself or reviewing your current resume, is the appearance.  Many people mistakenly believe that they stand the best chance if their resume stands out.  Yes, you want your resume to stand out, but in a good way; a professional way.  At all costs, you will want to try and avoid colored paper and flashy, hard to read print.  As stated above, many employers categorize their applicants by their resumes.  Having an unattractive, unprofessional resume is the quickest way to get your resume into that “don’t bother,” pile.

It is also advised that you tailor your resume to the job that you are applying to, or at least the industry that you are hoping to get into. For instance, if you are looking for a job in retail, your resume objective may want to mention “looking for a career in a faced paced retail environment,” or such.  Tailoring your resume to each specific job will help to keep you one step above the competition.  There are many hiring employers who wonder if their applicants even read through the job listing before applying.  You do not want to be one of those applicants.  Outlining the need for a job in the construction industry, while applying for a job in the retail industry is another quick way to get your resume into that “don’t bother,” pile.

Another tip that you will want to remember, when it comes to making a nice, professional resume, is length.  Yes, you want to make sure that your resume includes as much information as it can, but you will want to make sure that it isn’t jam packed with information.  If, at all possible, you are advised to keep your resume around one or two pages long.  Be sure to include all applicable information, like your work history and your education. When outlining your previous work experience and your education, you want to include the basic information, just that.  Anything else can further be discussed in an interview.  Many employers hate reading long resumes, especially when the information isn’t always applicable.

The above mentioned tips should be able to help you create a professional resume; one that will be looked at.  If you are not dropping your resume off in person, you will want to create a cover letter for yourself.  A cover letter should be short and to the point. Outline the job that you are applying for, the experience that you have which makes you a good candidate, and ask the hiring employer to see your attached resume for additional information.

In this age of technology a CV put together on an old typewriter and sent ‘snail mail’ is not enough.
A Web CV is simply a copy of your CV produced on a web page that can be accessed via the Internet rather than held on your PC at home. It is an ideal addition to your job hunting toolkit if you intend to spend any time away from your PC.

Imagine being away for the weekend, whether on a wild trip to Amsterdam or a cosy hotel in Paris. You pop into an Internet café to find the nearest Italian restaurant and browse the web to use up the rest of your pre-paid time. You come across the perfect job! With a Web CV you can send an email with your CV Web address and password to the employer or recruitment agency and they can view your CV immediately. Indeed, whether you are moving house, taking a gap year abroad or travelling extensively in your current job you can give employers and agencies instant access to your CV and you can apply for any vacancy at any time.

With a CV Web page you can ring employers or agencies about a job advertised in the local paper and instead of just sending your CV by post a few days later, why not give them your web address and password over the phone? They can look at your CV while you are still talking. You will be remembered for being innovative, professional and efficient.

Even if you apply for a vacancy via email you can include a link to your CV Web Page or add it to your covering letter. Employers in every line of business use computer technology to a small or larger degree. A Web CV will show employers and recruiters that you are aware of and embracing the latest technology.

Add a Web CV to your toolkit today and get ahead of the rest.

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